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COROLENE, 



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^ POEM, 



—BY— 



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GEORGE ERNEST MILLER, 






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-AUTHOR OF- 



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Conrad," "Luxilla," Etc. 



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COROLENE. 



A POEM. 



m 1 1886' ) 






Copyright, 1886, 
By the Author. 



75 a ^1'*' 



— UEdicatEd tn — 

MRS, C. P. REID; 

Ne-w YDrk. 



COROLEFE. 



"Who is it?" said all, as they rushed to the door 
To see the late stage, and what guests might arrive ; 

"There's only one man ! and are there no more ?" 
Then scattered the girls, -that merry beehive. 

And who was that man, so dusty and tired. 

Who came to the Springs in search of good health? 

The new guest, of whom the girls have enquired, 
Surrounded by beaux of good looks and wealth ? 

"He would be quite handsome ! " exclaimed a bright maiden, 

Perhaps, if he had a clean, shaven face ; 
I guess he is married -he looks overladen 

With the cares a family man must embrace." 

The speaker was dark, and those eyes were night's shadow, 
And friends with respect bent ear to her words ; 

With bearing quite proud, and stately, she had, Oh, 
A voice that was sweet, like the carol of birds ! 

In a far distant City, a man of deep feeling 
Had worked his quick brain, in the channels of trade, 

And from his connections so often concealing 
The aches of his frame, - till in bed he was laid. 



4 



Though nursed in great illness by best of rich friends,- 
Surrounded by comforts, he felt all alone ; 

Though each to the body his helping hand lends, 
Not one has quick ear for the spirit's deep moan. 

There are melodies sweet that some never hear ; 

And shades of rich color, the artist perceives; 
There are tones within tones, that delight the ear, 

And soft, subtile tints, the brightest ray leaves ; - 

So 'tis with the soul ; harmonics are sounded 
To those at a distance ; - they hear but a part ; 

Those shapes that are rough, to some are so rounded ; 
The prism of love throws tints on the heart. 

The storm of commotion in day time that rages, 
Keeps the heart's chamber doors closed tightly together j 

But the zephyrs of summer, at night, act as pages, 
Moving softly to let in the sweet balmy weather. 

Convalescing so slowly, Onixa, half dreaming 
On his couch in the land of the South, one night, 

Felt the gentlest of influence wafted, seeming 
To open the doors for visions bright. 

Yes, the innermost door of that heart, long bolted^ 

Somehow unfastened by merest chance ; 
(Was it mortal or spirit that came?) it revolted. 

And locks gave way, at that beautiful glance. 



She paused but a moment and entered with grace, 
Then gazed all around, like an empress at home ; 

Found that it was in order, each thing in its place ; 
And he asked her to rest there, never to roam. 

His being was filled with a real contentment, 
And a bright sunlight joy, ne'er before that was felt ; 

All feelings of envy, impatience, resentment, 
Took wings for long flight, as he at her feet knelt. 

"Forever I'll keep her, and she is now mine ! " - 

He sprang to the door, in order to close, - 
But the spirit passed out, for she knew his design. 

Leaving coldness and woe, which a vacant heart knows. 

"Forgive me! " he cried,- "do stay with me longer ! " 
And held out his arms : - "Come back, Oh, my queen ! 

Do tell me thy name, and I will grow stronger! " 
She smiled, spoke one word,- it sounded like- "Lene." 

The figure was gone. At last health returning, 
To build up his strength, he sought mountains green; 

But dreaming or waking, there was a deep yearning 

To once more commune with the spirit named - "Lene." 

*■ ** * *************** 

With the fingers of light draw night's curtains aside ; 

Strike up for the German, and let music's strain 
Bring the gay ones together, from away far and wide ! 

The belles of past years are met here again, 



6 



But debutantes too, who now make the Ball 

Like a newly made bouquet, of flowers just brought in ; 

The youths of a season, men blas^ and all 
Are waiting the leader's shrill call to begin. 

The girls fix their ribbons, the men their neckties. 
And then comes the order,- that each take his place ; 

Staid chaperons watch them, so knowing and wise, - 
Watch the buds, whose sweet leaves have no tarnish's trace. 

Onixa had rested all day, and arraj^ed 

Like the rest, in full dress, he gazed at the scene; 

But his thoughts were not there, - in the distance they strayed, 
And sad was his look, unconscious his mien. 

"Oh, there is the man, last night that came !" 

Low whispered a lass to a group near by, 
"He is surely good looking, and I've heard his name, 

Is wealthy and single ! now girls who will try ? " 

Some sound changed the thought, - made his head turn that way, 

And his eye caught the eye of the ruhug mind there ; 
He asked of his neighbor: "Do tell me, I pray, 
"The name of the girl with the proud, graceful air? 

"Not the one now speaking, but who gives assent, 

By gentle approval, to what has been said ?" 
The other replied : "How long have you spent 

At the Springs, not to know that the whole place is led 



"Bj' her! yon refer to the one who is rising 

To "welcome her partner?- the dancers come in, 

And I must seek mine ! - but 'tis surely surprising, 
You know not the beautiful-" music and din 

Of voices and laughter, and shuffling of feet 

Drowned the tones of the speaker, whose last words were lost. 
From the whirl of the dance, his eyes would oft meet 

The ones of that girl, and he knew they had cost 

Many heart aches to beaux, and to lovers much pain ; 

To him it was only her glances were strange, 
Because they resembled some dear one, 'twas plain, 

Like faint shadow's shades in the background will range. 

But the more he gazed on her, he saw in the curves 
Of the face, of the form, - (was it only a notion ? 

Oh, no! if that, why excited the nerves?) 
Resemblances rise and fall like the ocean. 

Didst thou know That beauty, so loved in the face. 

Permeates the whole frame, in the kingdom of Grace ? 

No longer he staid, and the hall quickly quitted. 
For his feelings, so deep, flowed back like the tide. 

To the time when his friends thought his spirit had flitted 
From the casket of flesh, - and in anguish he cried : 

"O lovely Lene! O dearest Lene ! 
This poor heart yearns for thee, my queen ! " 



a 



'Tis easy for vessels to pass into port, 

If they carry the flag of a well known nation ; 

They sail up the harbor, right under the fort, 
And receive the salutes of congratulation. 



'o' 



Not a few knew Onixa, by sight and by name, - 
Some whom he had met in the past, gilded days ; 

And the sight made a picture, without a frame, 
As the forms scattered far to the mind's restless gaze. 

Condense to one face all the features, the faces 

Of friends ; blend to its form the dearest expressions; 

Then the heart takes to heart what the mind drew in graces, 
Makes love to its mate in the sweetest confessions. 

The parlor's low cadence - the hum of the voices 
Fell, as beaux talked to belles in gentle converse ; 

Enjoyment reigned there, for the men had their choices, 
And formed ofl" in couples - (Why need they disperse ? ) 

This melody soothed our young friend, Onixa, 

And the sight of bright things is akin to sweet sound ; 

Oft, united, they act as the best of elixir, 
For the mind and the body, that ever is found. 

Sitting yonder, young Ogle, who has so much money. 
Thinks he's loved by the ladies, because of his charms ; 

But the one by his side, with lips like the honey, 
Is flirting, and never will enter his arms. 



9 



Bhe*s a proud Southern belle - (a man is a dunce ! ) 
And her friends hear her say t- "There's time a plenty; " 

Is engaged right now to six men at once, 

Thinking : --"I will marry at five and twenty. " 

Poor Ingray will come, and still seeks the Springs 
Each Summer^ while Time measures off the decades ; 

Has not found his mate yet, but the female voice rings 
In chimes more attractive, as manhood fades. 

A mother sat there, once noted for beauty, 
And saw in her child the days that had fled, 

When the heart, so excited, felt young love, then duty 
To the dear one, who now lay, at home, with the dead. 

The electric flashes of mind's intuition, 
Passed over the wires - (the network of thought,) 

And he saw all, around, as they seemed, their condition - 
At home, who knew? and still less, cared naught. 

But his eyes were spell-bound, at the sight of a group ; 

Its members to mirth, then to sadness were swayed 
By the one in the centre ; a rainbow loop 

Held them there, at her will, which her falling words made. 

The maidens and men, in attention profound, 

Were led by the heart-strings and then by the head, 

And she helped timid voices, so trembling, to sound; 
To minds, that were hungry, she furnished sweet bread ; 



10 



And spoke to this one, and then to another, 

Divining their thoughts with quick penetration, 

Was kind in her tones as a sister or mother, - 
Bringing each one to think 'twas his conversation. 

She would charm, by repeating a verse, some nice story, 
Or illustrate the thought with poetic fire; - 

Then her face was clothed in the vestments of glory, 
That are given to priests, - those who inspire. 

Like the sailor who travels a coast desolate, 

And suddenly views a beautiful shore. 
Exclaims in joy, and doubt, to his mate:- 

"Have we ever sailed by this land before ?" 

So Onixa, beholding, asked one by his side : - 
"Do you know yonder lady ? Or have you not seen 

Her before ?" The man turned around and replied : - 
"She's the beautiful, lovely, yet proud -Corolene. 

He sprang to the door, with his blood like the flame; 

It quickened his pulse, and wild was his eye ; 
He rushed up the mountain, as quivered his frame, 

And only the wood-cutters heard him cry : - 
" 'Tis dearest 'Lene ' ! 'Tis Corolene ! 

Enter this heart, my spirit queen !" 



11 



The brook in the misadow, went rippling along, 

And he plunged in its waters, to cool fever heat ; 
Its voice sighing low, gave a soft soothing song. 

But he sprang to the bank and that name must repeat : - 
"O Corolene ! O Corolene ! 

Enter this heart, my spirit queen ! 
Come in again - I'll never more ^ 

No never will I close the door !" 

.1 

He courted the proud Corolene every day, 
In motion, in look, or by something to say; 

And a love deep, intense, from his eyes ever shone, 
But, to himself, never could get her alone. 

He chanced once to meet her, while crossing the lawn,- 
She looked like a sunbeam that kisses the dawn,- 

Then he asked her to walk, and she gave her consent, 
So off to the forest to ramble they went. 

O take me to woodlands ! the heart is a waste; 

Its feeling are deserts, its freshness effaced ; 
The children of Ishmael care but for plunder, 

And oases are scarce as the rain or the thunder. 

Was there ever a softer, so sweet lullaby. 

As the sound of the trees, when they give forth their sigh ? 
And lovers know well, that it kindles emotion, 

Helping on in expressions of deepest devotion. 



12 



They walked on awhile, then found a nice seat 

That was made between trees, -the trunks nearly meet, 

And soon he began in a passionate plaint, - 

While her face, called proud, became like a saint :- 

"O Corolene ! O Corolene ! 
Enter this heart, and be my queen ! " 

Hast the shadows seen on the mountains fall, 
And then grow dim, as the sun comes out ? 

Heat-lightning appear, light up the sky's wall. 
Pass away and leave eyesight bewildered, in doubt ? 

So expressions of soul in her eyes flitted shades. 
And then they were bright as they rose to dilate ; 

It seemed that the blush of many fair maids 
The roses of love, in her cheeks, did create : - 

"Tis dearest — 'Lene' ! O Corolene ! 
Come in my love, and be my queen ! 

"I care not for fashion, the whirl of the dance, 
The soul-stirring play, nor rich ruby wine ; 

But for deep-passioned love, - the light of thy glance, 
And I will be thine, if thou wilt be mine ! " 

In these words he wooed, and she answered low: - 
"To hide this heart's secret, 'tis useless to try; 

That I love Onixa, he now must know. 
For my feelings no longer can I deny ! " 



13 



Then the soft head drooped lower, and nestled at rest, 
And his arms were about her, in gentle embrace ; 

While she gave up her heart, sweet words confessed, 
That she would be his own, as was hid the face. - 

As they neared the best cottage, she seemed like a child, 
And her eyes had a look,- a peculiar, weird light; 

In her well-chiselled face came expressions so wild, 
When he kissed the pink lips and bade her good night ! 

Onixa arose -his dream had been bliss. 

Quite late the next morning,- "Why so gloomy and sad 
The faces of guests ? And what can be this ? " 

Were his thoughts, for he felt : "All the world should be glad ! " 

In corners they whispered - the old bowed their heads ; 

The young walked more slowly, and some were in tears; 
He asked :- "What's the matter? It seems like the dead's 

Own presence is here. x\m I right in my fears?" 

They gazed at him strangely, as thought the kind speaker : - 
" 'Tis a white winding sheet round his heart I must wind ! " 

And this was the answer- his voice became weaker :- 
"The sweet Coroleue has lost her mind ! " 

Take away the dull casket, -the jewel is gone ! 

Why look for the sunrise?- no more is the morn ; 
The green of the forest has turned now to gray. 

And the light of the landscape has faded away ! 



14 



Now muffle your music, ye lovers of pleasure ! 

Beat time for the mind, -its hearse's slow measure ; 
The chords are all minor, for laughter's suppressed, 

And feelings are discord that reign in the breast. 

Onixa was gone,- and with anguish intense, 
Not believing their words, he sought her abode, 

But found they had early taken her thence ; - 
He gave a deep moan and sank in the road. 

O roll back to chaos, great world, backward roll ! 

To the crash and confusion, - thy mighty discord ! 
Then small wouldst thou be, to the deep, troubled soul, 

Which can only be calmed by the hand of the Lord. 

That night, as the darkness grew denser and deeper, 
In front of her door, on the lawn, he was lying ; , 

But for low, plaintive moans, one would think him a sleeper. 
Like the breeze, to pass through the trees, that was trying^ 

Or the long-drawn sigh of a maiden distressed, 
Came a sound by his side ; a continued -A-l-a-s ! 

Resembled it much ; he raised from unrest. 

Saw the loveliest shape, as he cried from the grass : - 

'"Tis Corolene! Oh, Corolene ! 
And art thou gone, my heart's own queen? " 

Her face was love-lit in beauty, but damb 
She gazed, with an earnest affectionate look ; 

Then only one word she said, 'twas- "Come; " 
And beckoned him on ; the thoroughfare took 



15 



That led to the far-off railroad station. 

He followed the form, (and she turned her head back 
To drop oft a smile of consolation,) 

Till they reached the depot, and stood on the track ; 

When she turned with a look of the deepest affection, 

Pointed Northward along the dark iron line, 
And then disappeared ; - with a pained soul-dejection 

He sank with a wail,- such as none can define :- 
"O Corolene ! O Corolene ! 

Why hast thou left me. Oh, my queen? " 

"Get up, my good friend ! " said the strong station-master, 

As Onixa he tried, from the track to raise, 
"The engine whistles ! good God, be faster ! 

See the head-light shines on us - yonder comes the blaze ! " : 

Let the reapers sing songs, and the sleigh-bells jingle ; 

The bright winter fire fling its rays on the hearth ; 
Let the flowers come forth and their odors mingle ; 

The welcome grass carpet spring up from the earth ; 

But these scenes of joy can never stay 
The weeks from passing, nor the months that go; 

Our hairs in the head change singly to gray- 
O turn back the hour-hand ! 'tis never to slow. 



16 



The season had come, when a Summer resort 
Overflowing is crowded, with guests from the City; 

When the sweet mountain air and sea-breeze have brought 
To their charms, the fashion, the wealthy and witty. 

Onixa sat there, on a porch near the sea. 

Observing below, the bathers' wild sport; 
The children who waded with pants to the knee, 

And the men who had come, their sweet-hearts to court. 

Some seamen he watched, as they labored near. 

Drawing slowly a boat from the beach to the wave ; 

And pondering deeply, he thought : - "Each year 
But tightens our ropes, from the birth to the grave." 

"Come with us ! we go to take a nice sail," 

Said a friend. He went, and the waves with their tricks 
Gave excitement, as onward they flew 'fore the gale ; 

That was just strong enough, for that party of six. 

He sat by a lady, whom he had just met. 

And talked in a way that required least exertion, 

Laughed at the right time, and kept off the wet. 
For sometimes the spray would threaten immersion. 

She answered and questioned, what one could say 
When tossed about ; was pleasant, - no more ; 

They laughed and sang, sailing over the bay; 
All had a nice time, and came back to shore. 



17 



But some how or other the trip had eased 
His mind from darkest contemplation ; 
• His companion, en route, had certainly pleased, 
In those half hours of conversation. 

At the hotel table, that day he was seated, 

By chance, just opposite her seat ; 
And when she came in, he quietly greeted 

Her, in recognition, then began to eat. 

O sight beatific ! what was it he saw, 
Just behind her chair, as his glance returned f 

It grew more distinct! and a feeling of awe, 
Yet of wild delight, within him burned. 

" 'Tis Corolene ! 'Tis Corolene ! 

I thought thee lost, my darling queen ! " 
He muttered, and looked with so wild agaze 

That all around thought he must be ill ; 
But controlling himself, he resumed his old ways, 

Though his frame was shaken by thrill after thrill. 

The bright shadow-form by the lady stood, 
When seated in parlor, or at rest in the ball, 

And a steady look, so tender, would 
Come back from her face, uuperceived by them all. 



18 



But gradually, as days went and came, 

Nearer bis friend it seemed to be ; - 
Wbile features and face appeared tbe same, 

And one from tbe otber, be could not see, 

* * * ***************** 

Six montbsbave flown. Onixa aligbted 

And sprang to meet ber, wbo rapidly came ; 
He'd been on a journey, but now bow deligbted 

To clasp ber once more, and bear bim exclaim : - 
"O Corolene ! O Corolene ! 

Come to tbis beart, ray wife, my queen 1" 



THE END. 




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